Vacation Day Five (Better late than never)

I fell asleep last night before I got a chance to post.

Yesterday was a bummer as far as weather was concerned. It rained until about four and the winds were ferocious. We read and ate or watched TV. We were ready to get out of the condo around three and went for drive, just to see what we could see. When we saw the sun pop out we headed back and Justin went to the beach to work on his skimming skills. I watched from the balcony and read People.

We went out to eat at the place we ate at the first night because it was all you can eat shrimp night and it was so good. Afterwards, Justin and I went to take some photos and then walked on the beach. Then we went for a night swim in the pool. I love doing that.

Today the sun is shining bright and there is a small breeze. Looks wonderful!

~BK

Vacation Day Four

Today was another good day. The sun was out. It was super windy all day though with winds around thirteen miles per hour. Justin went to a local surf shop and bought some wax for his skim board. He successfully mastered it. :-)

We ordered a pizza and made a salad and stayed in the condo tonight. When we got back to the condo from picking up the pizza Justin said he felt like a storm was brewing. Turns out, he was right. We took a walk on the beach after supper and the winds increased. When we got back to the room and turned on the TV we saw that we were under a severe thunderstorm warning (with up to 50 mph winds!) and a tornado watch. Thankfully, they are both over and everything seems to be okay, but they are still calling for what sounds like some intense thunderstorms. I'm praying they pass as easily as the others did. I don't do well with storms.

I'm in my jammies (why is is that you feel extra cozy in pjs when it rains?), watching Law and Order with Justin. I've always loved it, but I think I've got him hooked. ;-)

~BK

Vacation Day 3

When I woke up it was raining. I watched Big Brother online, I'd missed it last night, while I ate breakfast and then read my book. By 12, there was no more rain and the sun was peaking out. It turned out to be a really good day. I finished my book, another winner! We lounged around on the beach for most of the day. Justin tried to skim board with no real success, it seems to be quite the challenge. I took some funny photos of his attempt. We ate at another little local place. It looked like a little shack, but had the best fried shrimp and hush puppies. We stopped by a grocery store so I could purchase a few more books. That's the only place around here to get some. Hopefully they'll be as good as my other grocery store find. We're back now. Justin is studying up on skim boarding, mama and daddy are snoozing, and I'm heading that way myself!

~BK

Vacation Day Two

Today was a perfect day on the beach.

I woke up around 9 and was on the beach by 10. I finished Sundays at Tiffany's (James Patterson's new love story). It was so good! Chick flick for sure.

I've started a new book, Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs. It's really good so far. I've read over 200 pages so far. I haven't read a novel since last summer break so I'm loving it!

It was sunny, but not too hot because there was a breeze. The water was perfect. No seaweed, very few jellies, and it was warm with gentle waves! There's also hardly anyone on the beach since peak season is over. So nice!

For supper, we crossed the state line and ate in Orange Beach, Alabama at a little seafood place. It was really good. I ate shrimp again. It's the only seafood I like and I don't just like it, I love it!

Justin and I walked on the beach when it got dark. The moon was out and it was beautiful. We saw lots of sand crabs!

I was planning on posting some photos, but I'm too lazy. I want to get back to my book.

It's calling for rain tomorrow, but I hope not. Either way, it's nice to be away for a bit!

~BK

Vacation Day One

I thought I'd sum up each day of my vacation. We have internet access in the room which is so nice! I realize I don't have that many readers, but this serves as a journal for me, so I'm going to try and keep it up!

We left our house around 7:30AM. It's always hard to say goodbye to my dog.

We stopped for breakfast at Chicfilia in Commerce, then for gas, and then for lunch at Subway. I slept some, but not much. I finished my book. I was reading gods in Alabama. I've started Sundays at Tiffany's and it's so good. I've already read 245 pages!

Then seven short hours later, thanks to Justin and Susie (the name we've affectionately given our Garmin), and the good Lord, we arrived safely.

I must admit every time my mom or dad's cell phone rang, my heart dropped, thinking we'd be having to turn around and head back home.

We unpacked and went to the grocery store to stock up (and I bought another book!). We have a tradition of going to a church service while we're on vacation. We went to 5:30 mass tonight and it was no disappointment. We felt like the homily was directed towards us. He talked about how Peter doubted Jesus when Jesus was walking on water and told Peter to come. "Oh ye of little faith..." We decided to trust in God that things would be okay back home while we're away and just enjoy.

Afterwards we ate at the Shrimp Basket, a local favorite. My blackened shrimp, hush puppies, fries, and slaw were soooooo good (and probably so NOT healthy!). Then we went for a walk on the beach. It felt so good to put my feet in the sand and the ocean. It always has a calming effect on me and I'm always in awe of the beauty of the beach. I couldn't help but thank and praise God instantly. For all of his creations, for this time with my family and Justin, for Ma, for the many blessings in my life.

There was also a small wedding on the beach. So sweet.

I just had a snack and we're watching the little league world series. It's only 9:30 here, but I'm exhausted.

Day 1: Major success!

~BK

Oh and Ma had a good day. Not much eating, but very alert!

AND, wasn't that sad about Bernie Mac! He was my dad's age!!! Scary...

I'm craving...

Sunny skies, clear water, and white sand.

We've hesitated about if we should go forward with our vacation to Florida or not because of Ma. Because she's not declining, we've decided to go ahead and go down. Things will happen in God's time and we have to trust in Him.

Of all years to need a vacation it's this one. Losing my grandfather has been so hard, especially on my mom. We just need to get away and have some family time, even if it's just for a few days. We'll take whatever the good Lord will give us and if Ma gets worse or something unforeseen happens and we have to come back early, so be it (we've had to do it before due to a death in the family). BUT, If everything stays the same back home, like I pray it does (please pray too!), we'll be there through Saturday.



Can't wait to see that beautiful Gulf of Mexico!

~BK

On a happy note...

Sorry my last post was such a Debbie Downer, but I love my family so much, especially this rock of a woman who holds us all together. A quick little update on that: Some days are good, some aren't. Today was an amazing day. Ma was awake and ate her whole breakfast, a snack, and some of her supper. She knew me and asked about school and we chatted and loved on each other for awhile. It was a day I'll never forget.

On a happy note, Justin graduated on August 2nd! It was a wonderful day! I'm so proud of him!

Here's a few photos:






~BK